Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World is a fantastic park themed around nature, conservation and the environment. Over recent years it has expanded with the new land of Pandora being added. You can expect thrill rides, great shows and lots of animals in this Disney World Park. We think Animal Kingdom is a great Disney Park and thought we would share 20 Animal Kingdom Tips.
Find Out More About Animal Kingdom
- Is Animal Kingdom Worth Visiting
- Must Do Animal Kingdom Activities
- The Best Rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- All The Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom for Toddlers
- Where to Eat at Animal Kingdom
1. Be Prepared for A Different Park Experience & Get Your Bearings
Animal Kingdom is not like any other Disney Park. The natural environment gives it a completely different feel and it can feel in some areas a little enclosed compared to the other parks. For Animal Kingdom first timers this can sometimes make you lose your bearing a little bit but don’t worry as the layout of the park is actually quite simple. Study the park map a bit before you visit and you should be fine.
2. Try Your Hardest to Ride Avatar Flight of Passage
Flight of Passage is an absolutely fantastic ride but it is also one of the most popular at Disney World too. If you can experience definitely do so but that does means you will either have to secure a Fast Pass or head straight there from rope drop and hope you get there before the crowds. Otherwise it could be a lot of time spent waiting in line.
3. There are Rivers of Light Dining Packages
The evening show at Animal Kingdom is Rivers of Light. The water based show uses fountains and projections and physical elements like boats too. There aren’t any fireworks due to all the animals that are kept in and around the park. If you would like to see Rivers of Light you can do a dining package at Tusker House where you get tickets for reserved seating. This works well if you are on the Disney Dining Plan.
You can read more about the Dining Plan in our article here.
4. Animal Kingdom Doesn’t Have A Lot of Transport Options
Animal Kingdom is a little isolated compared to the other parks. This make sense due to the number of animals living there as they are some distance away from all the fireworks. What this does mean is that you are limited for transport options when park hopping as Disney only offer buses or Minnie Vans. Do consider this if you have reservations elsewhere when at Animal Kingdom and give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to be. One of our top Animal Kingdom Tips would be to allow plenty of time to park hop.
5. If Expedition Everest Is Busy Try the Single Rider Line
Expedition Everest doesn’t get quite as busy as it used to a few years ago due to the popularity of Pandora but wait times can get high when the park is busy. If you are able to do so consider using the single rider line as it usually moves pretty quickly.
6. The Mickey Cinnamon Rolls are Delicious
Creature Comforts is the place to find the huge and delicious Mickey Cinnamon Rolls. Creature Comforts is the parks Starbucks located past the main entrance to Pandora but before you reach the bridge that takes you into Africa. We often get one of these first thing in the morning for breakfast and you can easily share it between two people too.
7. Restaurantosaurus Quick Service Restaurant Offers Refillable Drinks
Located at Dinoland USA this quick service restaurant offer free refills similar to Electric Umbrella at Epcot and the Backlot Express at Hollywood Studios. So if you are planning a quick service meal at Animal Kingdom then this is a little perk to be aware of.
You can read more about where to eat at Animal Kingdom in our complete guide by clicking the image below.
8. Rope Drop is Worth it Just for the Parrots
Rope drop at Animal Kingdom is a great opportunity to get to the popular attractions before the crowds build up but is is also worth it to see the unique opening where a group of feeding parrots take flight and soar over the crowd. If you get close to them too they literally fly above your head.
9. It Can Get Hot and Sticky
Due to the more enclosed environment I mentioned before it can get hot and sticky at Animal Kingdom. It always seems to be more more humid inside this park especially on a really hot day so do make sure you have some water in your backpack.
Click the image below to find out what we pack in our backpack when at Disney World.
10. There is More than One Entrance/Exit into Pandora
Do be aware that there is more than one way into and out of Pandora. Other than the main entrance that you come across when making your way from the main park entrance there is also a walkway located from Festival of the Lion King. This walkway always seem to be fairly quiet to so I think it is often missed by guests exploring Animal Kingdom.
You can find an Animal Kingdom Map here on the Disney World website.
11. The Festival of the Lion King is a Great Show
Speaking of Festival of the Lion King, it is a wonderful show so try not to skip it when at Animal Kingdom. There are fantastic performers such as singers, acrobats and the whole show works so well. It is also usually quite easy to get into as well. This is our favorite show at Animal Kingdom and if you are a fan of the Lion King it is a must see and even if you are not I guarantee you will still enjoy it.
Take a look at the best Animal Kingdom Rides and Shows
12. Tough to be a Bug is Fun Too (and it gets you close to the Tree of Life)
Tough to be a Bug can sometimes be missed too but it is also a fun show. It gives you the chance to see some of the wonderful detail of the Tree of Life up close too. It also a great way to get out of the Florida sun too. The Bug themed Spoof Movie Posters in the waiting area are very funny too. Some of the effects during the show are very entertaining and surprising so don’t dismiss seeing this show too quickly.
13. Tusker House is a Great Buffet Style Restaurant
Tusker House is one of our favorite character meal locations at Disney World. The variety of food on offer at the buffet is excellent with lots of different styles of food to try. It is also great seeing Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy in there safari outfits too. The selection of desserts is good too and we have always been looked after very well by the staff at this location. Our favorite place to eat at Animal Kingdom.
You can find out about all of our favorite character meals by clicking the image below.
14. Baloo and King Louie
If like me you are a big fan of the Jungle Book then Animal Kingdom is the place to meet Baloo and King Louie. This is another great thing about Animal Kingdom is that you come across some different and more unusual Disney Characters but we’ll get to that further down the list. Baloo and King Louie make a great character pairing to meet. Baloo the big towering Bear and King Louie with his long arms are a lot of fun. A great photo opportunity that I have made the most of in the past during our Disney World Vacations.
15. Use the Lockers for Kali River Rapids
Located just across from the Kali River Rapids are some lockers. Disney offer complimentary storage for 2 hours with these lockers so you don’t need to worry about getting wet. The locker are on a first come first served basis and you can book them at the electronic kiosk and then creating a PIN number to lock your selected locker. The lockers are metal and sealed tight so don’t worry they are very secure.
16. The Characters from Up!
You will also find Russell and Dug at Animal Kingdom for a character meet. To add to these two great characters Kevin the Bird has also started making appearances on Discovery Island too. If you are a fan of Up you will love seeing these characters.
You can read more about meeting Disney Characters in our article here.
17. Tarzan and Pocahontas
You can also find Tarzan and Pocahontas at Animal Kingdom too. This is what is great about Animal Kingdom there is variety of more unusual characters to meet. This is great if your kids are looking for some more unusual signatures to add to their autograph books. They are great photo opportunities too.
18. Allow More Than 1 Day at Animal Kingdom
In the past Animal Kingdom was seen as a one day park which I always thought was a little unfair. It definitely needs at least two days now to fully enjoy it especially with the addition of Pandora. Try to allow at least two day if you can during your Disney World Vacation.
Take a look at our must do Animal Kingdom Activities
19. The Best Times of Day to ride the Kilimanjaro Safaris
The best time of day to take the Kilimanjaro Safari tour is when it is cool so as early in the day or as late in the day as possible. During the middle of the day when it is at its hottest a lot of the animals will be looking for shade and cover. The lions are always a highlight of the tour and Disney do the best to encourage them to lay on the rocks that you pass on the tour by having a cooling system installed to make it more pleasant for them but your best bet is to still try and take the safari when the temperature is fairly cool.
Like Flight of Passage the lines for Na’vi River Journey are usually long too. This ride has a fairly short ride time considering you will probably have to wait a while to ride it. My honest opinion of the attraction when we first rode was a little underwhelming. To be honest the ride experience didn’t meet my high expectations. I would ride it again, but only if I could get on it fairly quickly. I would rather use a Fastpass for flight of passage. There are definitely better dark rides at Disney World. The Animatronic Na’Vi Shaman at the end of the ride is great though.
You can read about my favorite Disney World Dark Rides here.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a fantastic park and if you have not yet been but are planning to you will have a wonderful time. Pandora has been a great addition to the park with brilliant theming and the excellent Flight of Passage Attraction. You can enjoy a variety of rides but still slow it down a bit to take in the wildlife whilst meeting great Disney Characters too. There are lots of different foods and drinks to enjoy as you explore the park and you can come away from the park having learned something too.
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Darren
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